Four of the One New Zealand Warriors’ All Stars representatives have been brought in for the club’s final Preseason Challenge match against the Dolphins at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Friday (6.00pm kick-off local time; 8.00pm NZT).
Of the six Māori players involved in the 16-16 draw in Hamilton, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is named at fullback, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the right wing, Adam Pompey at centre and Jacob Laban in the second row.
Māori halfback Te Maire Martin is sidelined for 12 weeks after breaking his right fibula while captain James Fisher-Harris is being rested after a big workload on Sunday which saw him on the field for 64 minutes making 24 runs and 176 metres – both game-high numbers – plus 34 tackles.
Indigenous winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is unavailable for the final trial as he follows concussion protocols after a head knock in Sunday’s game.
Of the run-on side used in last Saturday’s 18-33 loss to the Sea Eagles in Napier, there are five changes – Nicoll-Klokstad replacing Geronimo Doyle at fullback, Watene-Zelezniak coming in for Motu Pasikala on the wing, Pompey for Leka Halasima in the centres, prop Tanner Stowers-Smith for Demitric Vaimauga (also being rested) and Laban for Morgan Gannon.
Tanah Boyd and Luke Hanson are again teamed up in the halves while second rower Kurt Capewell will captain the side as he did against Manly.